Exploring the Loop Browser

The World Conga region in your Track Editor came from a library of over 1000 prerecorded Apple Loops that are included with the GarageBand software. Loops are musical parts that can be repeated (looped) over and over seamlessly. These loops can be accessed through the Loop Browser. The Loop Browser organizes the loops by categories and helps you search for loops using either the Button or Column view.

There are three ways to open the Loop Browser:

• Click the Loop Browser button.
  
  

  

• Choose Control > Show Loop Browser.
  
  
• Press Cmd-L.
  
  

Let's open the Loop Browser now.

1.

Click the Loop Browser button to open the Loop Browser.

The Loop Browser opens. The Loop Browser and the Track Editor occupy the same space in the GarageBand window. You can either have the Loop Browser open, or the Track Editor open, but not both at once.

The Loop Browser helps you search through all of your loops to make it easier to find the right loops for your song. Imagine if you had to listen to hundreds of loops just to find the sound you want. Luckily, the Loop Browser sorts and organizes the loops for you. All you need to do is narrow the search.

The Loop Browser has the following controls:

• Keyword buttons or columns Click the keywords to display the matching loops. Click additional keywords to narrow the search.

• View buttons Use these buttons to change the layout of the Loop Browser to Column view or Button view.

• Scale type pop-up menu Use this menu to narrow your search to a specific scale.

• Search text field Type the name of the loop or the kind of loops you want to find.

• Preview Volume slider Adjust the volume of the loops as you preview them.

• Results list Shows the results that match whatever keywords you have selected or loop you search for. Once you have used keywords or buttons to narrow or refine your search, the results are listed in this pane. You can sort the results by columns, including by name, tempo, and key.

There are two different ways you can view the Loop Browser: Button view and Column view.